Oil cleaner



April 12, 1932. HQCHSTATTER 1,854,139

OIL CLEANER Filed May 51, 1930 INVENTOR garles ATTORNEYS Patented Apr.12, 1932 CHARLES HOCHSTATTEB, OF OZONE PARK, NEW YORK, N. 'Y.

OIL CLEANER Application filed May 31, 1930. Serial No. 458,279.

This invention relates generally to the class of separators, and refersmore particularly to a fluid cleaner which, while not necessarilyrestricted to such use, is especially designed for the purpose ofcontinuously'cleaning lubricating oil as it leaves the pump an iscirculated thereby from the crank case of a motor to the bearings andother parts being lubricated.

Broadly, the invention comprehends an oil cleaner of the indicatedcharacter, in which the separation of grit or other solid foreignmatter, as well as heavier, liquids, such as water, is accomplished bycentrifugal force.

The invention in its principal use aims as a further object to providean oil cleaner for an internal combustion motor, which is preferablyinstalled at a convenient point between the pump outlet and the bearingsor other parts to be lubricated, and in which the rotating parts of saidcleaner are preferably driven by a moving part of the motor.

More specifically, the provision of an oil cleaner having a settlingbasin, in which the foreign matter separated by the cleaner isgravitationally collected, and which settling basin is disposed belowand communicates with the bottom of the crank case or oil reservoir ofthe motor, whereby periodical draining of said crank case or reservoirmay be effected through the settling basin to flush out the saidsettling basin in order to remove therefrom the foreign matter collectedtherein.

Other objects of the invention reside in the provision of a highlyefficient separator or fluid cleaner which employs few and simple parts,which may be economically produced and assembled, and which device maybe readily installed or removed for the purpose of repair and cleaning.

l Vith the above recited and other objects in view, reference is had tothe following description and accompanying drawings, in which there isexhibited one example or em bodiment of the invention, while the claimsdefine the actual scope of the same.

In the drawings: V

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectionthe invention resides in a1view throughithe cleaner illustrating the same applied to the crank caseof a motor.

b i ure 2 1s a fragmentary vertical sectional view therethrough takenapproximately in the plane indicated at 2-2 in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a face view of one of the separator disks.

As illustrated in Figure 1 of the device is shown in itspr connectionmotor, as an oil cleaner.

the drawings, incipal use in with an internal combustion The deviceincludes a casing having an upper hollow cylindrical portion '10 havingan open side which is normally closed by a-closure plate 11 removablysecured in place in any desired manner, such as by bolts or otherequivalent fastening elements 12. plate 11 define upper chamber,

in a substantially horizontal plane.

The portion 10 and closure a substantially flat circular the axis ofwhich is disposed The upper portion 10 is provided with a dependingtubular neck 13 which therewith and terminates at it a suitably sizedcommunicates s lower end in and shaped settling basin 14.

The lower end of the settling basin 1 1 is pro vided with a removableclosure plug 15 equipped with a drain cock 15a.

The device further includes a plurality of spaced parallel connectedwhich are preferably in the n or circular plates provided members 16,ature of disks with slightly spaced thickened peripheries 17 and each ofwhich is formed wlth series of apertures 18 disposed and defining fluidpassages Preferably, the plates or disks a concentric circular axiallythereof therethrough. 16 are secured together and spaced from each otherby means of circumferentially extend through the plates or spaced bolts19 which disks 16, and

spacing sleeves interposed between the adj acent pairs of plates ordisks.

mediate disks and one of the V The interend or outermost disks 16 areprovided with aligned central apertures or fluid passages 21, while theremaining end or outermost disk, namely,

the one at the left, is non-apertured and is secured to an outwardlytrically arranged axially proj ecting concendisposed stub shaft 22 whichextends through a packing gland or stuffing box 23 on the outer s1 dewall of the to be lubricated, in a cleaned condition.

portion 10 of the casing and is journaled therein for rotation, wherebythe disk or plate assembly is mounted for rotation within the circularchamber. The protruding portion of the shaft 22 is driven in anysuitable manner, preferably from the motor, and, as illustrated, adriving pulley or shaft 24 is secured to the protruding portion of thestub shaft 22, whereby a belt or other equivalent connection is trainedtherearound and around a rotating part of the motor.

In order to provide means for introducing the oil or other fluid to thecasing, one side wall, preferably, the left side as illustrated inFigure 1, is provided with an intake nipple 25, with which a conduit 26is coupled or joined, which conduit leads from the outlet of the oilcirculating pump A, the intake of which oil pump as commonly used ininternal combustion motors. communicates with the sump portion of thecrank case 27 of the motor by a conduit B. In order to convey off thefluid or lubricating oil from the container, a conduit pipe 28 leadingto the hearings or other parts to be lubricated extends concentricallythrough the closure plate. 11 of the casing and preferably projects intothe central aperture of the centrally apertured right end plate. .While,of course, the device may be supported in any suitable manner, as illustrated the conduit pipe 28 also serves in the capacity of a bracketfor supporting the device by extending the same through the side wall ofthe crank case and securing the same 2 to the crank case.

In use and operation of the device, the lubricating oil of the motor asit leaves the oil pump and is circulated thereby from the crank case ofthe motor, is led by the conduit 26 to the eccentrically disposed intakenipple 25, thence through the nipple to the cleaner casing 10, where itenters at a point substantially in registry with the orbit of thepassages or apertures 18 in the plates or disks 16. As the disks orplates are rapidly rotated by the driving of the shaft 22, thelubricating oil or other fluid is fed between the plates and rotatedthereby and therewith, at the same time being forced by the pumppressure through the passages 18 and 21. Obviously, particles of solidmatter or liquids, such as water, which are heavier than the lubricatingoil, will be thrown off radially by centrifugal force between thethickenedperipheries 17, to rid the oil as it moves through the passages18 and 21,

of said heavier solid and liquid matter, so that the cleanedoil-eventually finds its way out through the concentrically disposedconduit 28 where it is fed to the bearings or other parts The thickenedperipheries 17 restrict the outlet space at the outer edge of the platesand retard the radial outward movement of the oil while allowing theheavier solid orliquid mat ter to be more readily discharged. At thesame time, the heavier particles of solid mat-' ter or liquids gravitatefrom the upper portion 10 of the casing through the depending neck 13,where they are collected in the settling basin 14 for subsequentremoval. Due to the fact that a considerable quantity of water iscollected in the settling basin, it is essential in the colder climatesand in the winter time, to frequently draw off the water to preventfreezing of the same and possible bursting of the settling basinstructure. F or this reason, the drain cock 15a is provided, which maybe opened at desired periods to particularly rid the settling basin ofwater collected therein.

In practice, the settling basin will be disposed below the sump portionof the crank case 27, as clearly illustrated in Figure 1 of thedrawings, and a conduit 29 establishes communication between the bottomof the crank case sump portion or other oil reservoir and the settlingbasin, whereby the periodical draining of the crank case or reservoirmay be effected through the settling basin by removing the closure plug15. drained off oil to flush out the settling basin for the purpose ofremoving therefrom the foreign matter collected therein. In order toprevent possible forcing under the pump pressure of matter collectedtherein through the conduit 29 into the sump portion, a check valve 30is arranged in the conduit 29. It is also apparent that when necessarythe device may be completely disassembled so that the interior of thecasing 10 and settling basin, as well as the plates or disks, may bescraped and cleaned to remove therefrom foreign mat ter which adheres tothe surfaces thereof.

While the device has been disclosed as preferably Working on asubstantially hori- Zontal axis, it is to be distinctly understood thatthe same is not necessarily restricted thereto, and, if desired, may bedisposed on a substantially vertical axis, in which instance, it is, ofcourse appreciated that the settling basin will be disposed below theseparator chamber.

lVhile there has been illustrated and described a single and preferredembodiment of the invention, no limitation is intended to the precisestructural details, as it is to be clearly understood that variationsand modifications which fall within the scope of the invention may beresorted to when desired.

lVhat is claimed is:

1. An oil cleaner including a plurality of spaced parallel aperturedplates mounted for rapid rotation on a substantially horizontal axis, astationary casing enclosing said plates having an eccentric oil inletand a concentric oil outlet, and a settling basin communicating with thelower end of and disposed below said casing.

2. An oil cleaner including a plurality of spaced parallel plates, saidplates having cir- This permits the L cumferentially spaced axiallydisposed oil passages, the intermediate and one of the outer end plateseach being centrally apertured, said plates mounted for rapid rotationon a substantially horizontal axis, a stationary casing enclosing saidplates having an eccentric oil inlet adjacent the non-centrallyapertured end plate and having a concentric oil outlet disposed inregistry with the centrally disposed end plate.

3. An oil cleaner including a plurality of spaced parallel plates, saidplates having circumferentially spaced axially disposed oil passages,the intermediate and one of the outer end plates each being centrallyapertured, .said plates mounted for rapid rotation on a substantiallyhorizontal axis, a stationary casing enclosing said plates having aneccentric oil inlet adjacent the non-centrally apertured end plate andhaving a concentric oil outlet disposed in registry with the centrallydisposed end plate and a settling basin communicating with the lower endof and disposed below said casing, said settling basin having aremovable drain plug at its lower end.

4. An oil cleaner including a plurality of spaced parallel plates, saidplates having circumferentially spaced axially disposed oil passages,the intermediate and one of the outer end plates each being centrallyapertured, said plates mounted for rapid rotation on a substantiallyhorizontal axis, a stationary casing enclosing said plates having aneccentric oil inlet adjacent the non-centrally apertured end plate andhaving a concentric oil outlet disposed in registry with the centrallydisposed end plate and a settling basin communicating with the lower endof and disposed below said casing, said settling basin having aremovable drain plug at its lower end, said drain plug having a draincock.

5. An oil cleaner including a plurality of spaced parallel plates, saidplates having circumferentially spaced axially disposed oil passages,the intermediateand one of the outer end plates each being centrallyapertured, said plates mounted for rapid rotation on a substantiallyhorizontal axis, a stationary casing enclosing said plates having aneccentric oil inlet adjacent the non-centrally apertured end plate andhav ng a concentric oil outlet disposed in registry with the centrallydisposed end plate and a conduit leading from the casing outlet to theparts to be lubricated.

6. An oil cleaner includ ng a plurality of spaced parallel plates, saidplates having circumferentially spaced axially disposed oil passages,the intermediate and one of the outer end plates each being centrallyapertured, said plates mounted for rapid rotation on. a substantiallyhorizontal axis, a stationary casing enclosing said plates having aneccentric oil inlet'adjacent-the non-centrally apertured end plate andhaving a concentric oil outlet disposed in registry with the centrallydisposed end plate" and a conduit leading from the casing outlet to theparts to be lubricated, said conduit having an intake extending into thecentral aperture of said centrally apertured end plate.

7. An oil cleaner including a plurality of spaced parallel circularplates having thickened peripheries spaced apart a distance less thanthe spacing of the major portion of the plates, means mounting saidplates for rapid rotation on a substantially horizontal axis, saidplates having circumferentially spaced axially disposed aligned oilpassages, the intermediate and one of the endmost 7 plates each beingcentrally apertured, a stationary casing enclosing said plates having aneccentric oil inlet adjacent the non-centrally apertured end plate andhaving a concentric oil outlet disposed in registry with the centrallyapertured end plate. a

8. In a centrifugally operated cleaner, a battery of circular plateshaving thickened peripheries, means securing said plates together inspaced parallel relation, all of said plates having a series of alignedcircumferentially spaced apertures, one of said end plates and theremaining intermediate plates having aligned central apertures, a casinghaving an eccentric intake adjacent the noncentrally apertured plate andhaving a concentric outlet conduit extending through the opposite sideand into the centrally apertured end plate. a v

9. In a centrifugally operated cleaner, a battery of circular plateshaving thickened peripheries, means securing said plates together inspaced parallel relation, all of said plates having a series of alignedcircumferentially spaced plates and the remaining intermediate plateshaving aligned central apertures, a casing having an eccentric intakeadjacent the noncentrally apertured plate and having a concentric outletconduit extending through the opposite side and into the centrallyapertured end plate and means for mounting and rapidly rotating saidplate assemblage on a substantially horizontal axis within said casing.

10. In a centrifugally operated cleaner, a battery of circular plateshaving thickened peripheries, means securing said plates together inspaced parallel relation, all of said plates having a series of alignedcircumferentially spaced apertures, one of said end plates and theremaining intermediate plates having aligned central apertures, a casinghaving an eccentric intake adjacent the noncentrally apertured plate andhaving a concentric outlet conduit extending through the opposite sideand into the centrally apertured end plate, means for mounting andrapidly rotating said plate assemblage on a subapertures, one of saidend stantially horizontal axis within said casing and a settling basincommunicating with the lower end of and disposed below said casing.

11. In a centrifugally operated cleaner, a battery of circular plateshaving thickened peripheries, means securing said plates together inspaced parallel relation, all of said plates having a series of alignedcircumferentially spaced apertures, one of said end plates and theremaining intermediate plates having aligned central apertures, a casinghaving an eccentric intake adjacent the noncentrally apertured plate andhaving a concentric outlet conduit extending through the opposite sideand into the centrally apertured end plate, means for mounting andrapidly rotating said plate assemblage on a substantially horizontalaxis within said casing and a settling basin communicating with thelower end of and disposed below said casing having a drain outlet at itslower end and a removable closure plug therefor.

12. An oil cleaner including spaced parallel plates, said plates havingcircumferentially spaced axially disposed oil passages, the intermediateand one of the outer plates being centrally apertured, a stationarycasing enclosing said plates and within which the same is mounted forrapid rotation, said plates having an eccentric oil inlet adjacent thenon-centrally apertured end plate and having a concentric oil outletdisposed in rigistry with the centrally disposed end p ate.

13. In a centrifugally operated fluid cleaner, a battery of circularplates, a stationary casing enclosing the same and within which saidplate battery is mounted for rotation on a concentric axis, said plateshaving a series of aligned circumferentially spaced apertures, one ofsaid end plates and the remaining intermediate plates having alignedcentral apertures, said casing having an e0- centric intake adjacent thenon-centrally apertured end plate and having a concentric outletextending through the casing and into the centrally apertured end plateand a settling basin communicating with the lower end of and disposedbelow said casing.

CHARLES HOCHSTATTER.

a plurality of

